Latakia clashes seek to disrupt Syria’s weeks-long policy of restraint: FM Fidan

Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Sunday expressed concern over an “effort to derail the Syrian government’s weeks-long policy of restraint” amid escalating clashes between government forces and Assad loyalists in Syria.

Fidan made the remarks during a joint press conference following a summit in Amman, Jordan, where foreign ministers from Türkiye, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria gathered.

The meeting also included defense ministers, intelligence chiefs, and military leaders from the five countries, focusing on security cooperation, counterterrorism, and organized crime, alongside broader regional issues.

Fidan reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to supporting Syria’s newly formed government, stressing: “We are, of course, committed to fully supporting the newly formed government in Syria and backing all of its efforts to stabilize the country.”

He also reiterated that Türkiye, along with its regional partners, opposes any initiatives that could undermine Syria’s stability and emphasized the protection of civilians’ lives, property, and cultural rights.

Surge of violence in Syria

Recent days have seen a surge of violence in Syria’s coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus, with coordinated attacks by loyalists of the ousted Assad regime. These attacks—described as the most severe since the regime’s fall in December—targeted security patrols, checkpoints, and hospitals, resulting in multiple casualties.

In response, Syrian security and military forces launched large-scale operations to track down the perpetrators. Government officials have reported fierce clashes but assert the situation is gradually stabilizing.

Bashar Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on Dec. 8, marking the end of the Baath Party’s nearly six-decade rule. Ahmad al-Sharaa, the leader of anti-regime forces, was named transitional president on Jan. 29.